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[H1706]How To Trim Bonsai Tree

by Patrick Desnoyers, Pat

The bonsai plant is grouped according to the style and shape of the plant as well as how it slants from the vertical axis position. The bonsai has four basic styles: the upright, slanting, cascade and semi-cascade styles. These styles are applicable mainly to the bonsai having only one trunk. The single trunk bonsai is the simplest bonsai which helps determine the shape and form of the bonsai.

The most basic style is the upright style, which can further be broken down into two – the formal upright and the informal upright styles. The simpler of the two is the formal upright style which possesses classic form. It is the most recommended style for beginners as the upright style is the easiest to do, especially when it comes to pruning the plant. The shape of the formal upright is round or cone-like, with a few branches sticking out from the tree from the front and back sides.

With the informal upright style, the branches' position is the same as the formal, except that the top of the plant is bending a bit forward. The container best used in informal style should be oval, with the bonsai to be planted slightly near one end of the container.

The bonsai with a slanting style has a trunk bent on an angle. The lowest branch of the bonsai positions itself to the direction that is opposite to where the tree is slanting. The other lower plant branches are bunched into threes while the top part of the tree is leaning to the front. Slanting bonsais should be planted in the center of the container with a box-type or circular shape.

With a cascade style, the trunk of the bonsai abruptly bends on a downward position past the edge of its container. Containers of cascade style bonsai should be positioned on the edge of the stand to create space for the bending plant. Working on a bonsai to attain a cascade style can be difficult and requires more time to achieve. The basic procedure is to bend the plant forward while trying to have one branch in the back to take a vertical position while the branches on the side are on a falling position.

Lastly, in the semi-cascade style, the trunk is grown straight up to a certain point and then made to cascade down, but the angle is less abrupt than the cascade style. With the semi-cascade style, the foliage is not allowed to reach the container's bottom or go past it. Instead, the bonsai should just grow past below the surface of the soil.

Whether you want to prune your plant, or have someone to it for your, or just simply buy a bonsai for yourself, it is important that you know the different styles of the bonsai. Such information can greatly help you in knowing how you really want your bonsai to look like and have its ultimate shape and form.

If you want a bonsai tree or if you are thinking of having one but don't have enough knowledge about it, you might want to rein yourself in before getting one. You first need to learn the basics about bonsai tree care. Taking care of a bonsai trees isn't as easy as taking care of any other plant that needs the usual watering, sunlight exposure, and fertilizer. In fact, it is quite challenging since it involves a number of different factors beginning with the type of bonsai tree that you have.

You have to be vigilant when taking care of your bonsai tree. Its container provides little protection, water and nutrients can easily be depleted.

When watering your bonsai, you have to consider the species of your tree. Some species can tolerate constant moisture while others thrive in instances of dry periods. As a general rule, avoid heavy watering because it makes your bonsai tree more vulnerable to fungal infections and may cause the roots to rot.

Meanwhile, there should also be some protection to keep the moisture in the soil and prevent it from quickly drying due to wind and sun exposure. Excessive drying of the soil will produce massive damage to the roots of your bonsai tree and is the quickest way to kill your plant. Another vital factor in bonsai tree care is about putting fertilizers on your tree. Because bonsai trees are contained in small pots, they have limited soil so nutrients are scarce. Thus, your bonsai needs three main ingredients - nitrogen, potash, phosphoric acid. Your bonsai will need less feed in spring and more in the fall.

Providing your bonsai tree the adequate amount of sunlight is also essential to keep your tree lush. If you have an indoor bonsai tree, situate your bonsai near the window to receive enough light exposure. However, if it is an outdoor bonsai tree, you have to appropriate a shade to control the light being received by your tree as too much sun exposure may dry the soil. Lastly, a young bonsai tree is normally repotted every two years and becomes less as it matures. Repotting and root-pruning helps the bonsai to develop as new roots grow to absorb more moisture and nutrients efficiently.

A well-maintained bonsai tree provides a beautiful ambiance. By following these tips, you are assured to enjoy its beauty for many years.

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Both Patrick Desnoyers & Jess Shaw are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Patrick Desnoyers has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Arts and Gardening. Owner of http://www.mishobonsai.com , has been practicing bonsai for over 8 years. Found a distinct interest in propagation, especially . Mishobonsai.com sells. Patrick Desnoyers's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.

Jess Shaw has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diabetes Treatment, Family and Gift Ideas. Want to find out about the and the. Jess Shaw's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.